Sister Mary Regina McCullagh (Bridget)
Regina, named Bridget, was born to Michael and Mary McCullagh, the eighth of nine children, six boys and three girls. In 1925, her parents settled on a small farm in Bancran, near Draperstown, a small village in view of the Sperrin mountains. They worked tirelessly to bring up and educate their nine children during hard times. Regina recalls: “There was always plenty to be done with everyone helping. We used to help with churning the butter. It took a long time, so we all took our turns. Mothers taught their daughters to bake and cook … we mixed the dough, rolled it out, cut it and put it on the griddle.” These happy early years were marked with dynamics of sibling relationships, sharing experiences and interactions, navigating the ups and downs of growing up with so many older siblings, all helping in developing social skills and laying a foundation for future connections. The gift of a close knit, faith filled family, imbued with Christian values, had a lasting effect which Regina honoured and gracefully carried throughout her life.
Regina appreciated her early years at Bancran National School after which she spent some years at St Mary’s Grammar School in Magherafelt. She was a happy, free spirited and determined young woman. One of her nieces recalls: “As a 14-year-old Auntie Bridget was first introduced to the idea that her own calling in life would be to join a religious order.” Regina spent a short time at our RNDM Convent school in Limavady before deciding to enter the Postulancy at Hastings to start a journey as an RNDM missionary. During this time, she received news of her father’s passing. This was a very distressing and painful experience particularly since Convent constraints at that time did not permit her to be with her family.
After First Profession, Regina spent a short time in the classroom in Wealdstone and Deal. She trained as a Primary School teacher at Notre Dame Training College, Liverpool, 1960-1963 and later attained a Diploma in Education from Digby Stuart Institution, London. 1979. “I worked as an Infant Teacher in several schools and in various situations in England and was very successful especially in the area of literacy, numeracy and creative work.” Regina’s energy, enthusiasm, compassion, creative and happy nature was valued and remembered in the following schools where she taught over the years: Deal, Wealdstone, Leyland, Sturry and Ramsgate. She loved teaching; she loved the children and she in turn, was loved! One adult who was taught by Regina in her early years, shared: “Regina is known for her gentle, kind, calm and compassionate demeanour. She created an environment where individuals felt valued… the very first gentle nun who taught me!”
Regina was happy to be missioned to Kenya in 1982. Later she recalls: “The Kenyan scene was to be quite different and very challenging…my life there was an intense learning situation.” Lucy Wambui (CLT) writes: “While we mourn the death of Regina, I also want to celebrate her life. She gave many years of service and energy in Kenya as a member of the PLT, formation of TP’s and particularly in the work of vocation promotion.”
Initially, Regina worked with adults, Primary school teachers and Parish animators. In her work as Religious Education Advisor, she was exposed to many new and different cultural values and customs. Sr Magdalen Nyile, currently Province Leader, recalls “She faithfully served for many years in Machakos Diocese and other Diocese … dedicating her life wholeheartedly to the Kenyan people.” Regina was determined and responded well to the challenges, becoming familiar with the Kenyan Religious Education systems and programs, organizing and facilitating workshops, liaising with Education Officers and the many incidental tasks that were considered as part of the job. She delighted in the fact that: “It was all worthwhile when I saw the program take root and have a group of local teachers ready and able for the work of facilitation and organisation. They made the program their own.” Her work in implementing a Diocesan Family Life program at parish level brought amazing results. She took pride in helping people believe in themselves and giving them responsibility. This carried amazing results both personally and within their community. Again, we hear of her energy and enthusiasm from Lucy: “She visited many schools, colleges, youth camps, not only to make the Congregation known but to promote Christian values among young people. She drove in many rough roads and many hours across the country, to places which were unknown.” Her own inner resource helped to trusted her heightened sensitivity to race, customs and culture which was a valued contribution and gift to the people whose lives she touched.
Regina considered vocation promotion and formation as a privilege. “I was happy to accompany the candidates during their initial discernment and help them move to a decision.” Again, Lucy Wambui reflects: “Many of us Kenyan Sisters had Regina as an initial contact on our journey to Religious Life. She visited our homes and personally I appreciate the efforts she made to come to my home, talked to my mother who resisted me joining religious life.” We are privileged to touch the beauty and depth of a true missionary soul. “It seems to me on reflection that life or the events of life had come full circle back to the point where I myself had become a missionary, to helping some young people live the same vocation and others to live more fully their baptismal vocation in either marriage or the single life.” (Regina’s notes) The Kenyan Sisters treasure and are grateful for the many memories of Regina, the quality of her presence among them and their families, her love of the Kenyan people, and the example of her faithfulness to the spirituality and mission of the Congregation along with her enthusiasm to make our RNDM missionary life known near and far.
On returning to the Province in 2004, Regina took time to make the necessary transition. She followed a short program at Dalgan Park before taking on Parish ministry in a recently opened community in Blackrock, Dundalk. After some years she returned to Churchtown where she was actively involved with parish groups and community responsibilities. Time spent with her family, nieces and nephews, especially her sister Mary was precious. We hear from one niece: “She had a strong bond with Mary even in later years when distance and ill health kept them apart, they treasured the phone call Mary would make at 6.30 each evening….”
By 2022, Regina accepted the difficult and necessary move to St Anne’s Sturry, where she could avail of full-time care. Her quiet, prayerful, deep quality presence and smile was appreciated by the Sisters and staff as she settled well in her new surroundings. She was forever grateful for the care of the staff and the Sisters who visited her. Throughout her 88 years there was a sense that Regina was always in touch with her inner self, living a reflective and contemplative life and now in these later years when she became totally dependent on others, she portrayed gratitude and satisfaction with a life well lived. Thank you, Regina.
Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated in St Anne’s on 2nd June by Father Raymond Mc Cullagh, Regina’s nephew. Sister Catherine Corrigan, Province leader, Sisters from St Anne’s and staff, Euphrasie Barbier Community, Wealdstone, New Southgate, with members of Regina’s family: Joseph, her nephew, Geraldine, Sandra and Anne-Marie, her nieces, gathered to give thanks and to celebrate a life well lived of a faithful RNDM missionary woman. May she now rest in peace with the God whom she loved.
Regina is laid to rest in the local cemetery in Sturry.
Our life is the discovery of the self, God meant us to be so that who we are can be God’s gift for the rest of the world. (Joan Chittister)